I've had the privilege to try out the new and improved Super.Fi 5. It is the successor to the original Super.Fi 5. I'll post pics later and edit them into this post when I can later, but until then, read on...
DEVICES USED WITH
Used with Laptop and Desktop computers. Standard headphone output and via HeadAmp Pico USB DAC Headphone amp. Also used with iRiver H-120 DAP via headphone out and with external headphone amp. Used them with my Canon HF100 HD Camcorder as monitors for the Microphone. Also used them playing games on the XBox 360.
LOCATIONS USED IN
Home, Office, in a Trolley/train, and in a Car.
PHYSICAL DESIGN
Pros: I love the small, compact size. The transluscent back half is a nice touch so you can see the drivers inside. Also, they are color coded. The right side is a transluscent Red, and the left side is a transluscent Blue.
Cons: Overall styling is not very interesting, but otherwise, it's a nice minimalist design, I suppose anything more would just make them larger. Vacuum metallization is overused these days, but it's nicely done without looking too much bling bling.
FIT AND COMFORT
The newer rubber eartips are the same as the Super.Fi 4. And are less comfortable than the older style (like with the Triple.Fi and previous generation Super.Fi 5). Makes my ears hurt a bit after wearing for a few hours. I could wear the older style practically all day long without it hurting. But it is more comfortable than the Super.Fi 4. Of course your experience may be very different from mine, as my ears are pretty small and sensitive. Overall, I did find I could comfortly wear them for about 3 hours which is very good.
The Comply tips were pretty much worthless, they provided a poor seal, and as a result the sound quality suffered, especially the bass.
NEW CARRY CASE
Same case that saw it's debut with the Super.Fi 4. Hands down, best hard carry case for earphones. Very convenient and compact. Reminds me of a Zippo lighter in when it's opened. Can actually pocket carry easily. Only concern is the living hinge in the plastic will fatigue and break over time. I would like to see cheap replacement cases should be made available for purchase. Perhaps offered in different colors.
PACKAGING
The new packaging looks great and is easy to open. Looks sophisicated and doesn't make the product inside look cheap, but not overly done so as to make me think they spent as much money on the packaging as the product itself. The Product and Accessories are easily seen and showcased. Makes the product look more expensive. Never have a product that costs more than $100 in a blister pack.
CABLES
Do not like that the cables are non-replaceable. Especially since the thinner cable looks to be more fragile.
The cables are a bit more microphonic than the older type. They are more prone to tangling, but not overly so. Glad to see static noise problem I heard in the Super.Fi 4 is not a problem in the new Super.Fi 5 here.
Overall, the thinness is a good compromise since if it were thicker it wouldn't fit into the sleek new case otherwise.
SOUND QUALITY
Soundstage -- The biggest, instant impression I heard was the HUGE soundstage. Very wide and very deep, impressively spacious soundstage for IEM's.
Detail -- excellent amount of detail and instrument separation, great improvement overall older Super.Fi 5. Excellent clarity.
Frequency Response -- Very good, could be improved. High frequency could be extended more, sounds a bit dull/soft. Midrange is excellent. Low Frequency Bass could be improved. Mid bass in general is a bit lacking. Sounds like there is a "hole" in the bass as well, where a small part of the mid to low bass is recessed. But overall, the sound is very neutral. A little laid back for my tastes, but I think it's a good compromise. Won't be overly bright to some, and not too dull for others. The bass goes deep, but is not boomy.
Dynamics -- Could use a little more "Oomph", particularly in the high and low frequency. When watching movies and playing video games, sound effects like gun fire and explosions didn't have as much impact as they should.
Overall -- Very enjoyable listening experience, huge sound in such a tiny package. It excels at all genres of music I've listened to. I tried it with everything from classical -> Rock -> Electronica -> Metal -> Smooth Jazz
CONCLUSIONS
An excellent and worthy successor to the original Super.Fi 5. Improved in just about every way, better sound in a much smaller package. And with a $169.99 MSRP it's an awesome value as well. It's already up for sale on Ultimate Ears Website:
- Store - Ultimate Ears Earphones Headphones Personal Monitors
As for the name, I think it deserves some kind of difference in the name so it is not confused with the original Super.Fi 5 when mentioned online, particularly in forums like this one. Something like "Super.Fi 5 v2.0" "Super.Fi 5 mkII" "Super.Fi 5 rev2", "Super.Fi 5.2", etc. etc.
I like what I am seeing and hearing with the new Super.Fi 5. I hope this change is a trend that will make it's way to the next version of the Triple.Fi 10. One of the biggest complaints I've heard about the Triple.Fi is it's physical size.
-Ed